The tight-aggressive foundation
Play fewer hands than your opponents and play them aggressively. Raising gives you two ways to win: your opponents fold, or you have the best hand. Calling gives you only one. Most long-term winners at small and medium stakes play roughly 20 to 25% of hands at 6-max and raise far more often than they call.
Value betting is where the money is
Recreational players lose because they call too much. Your job is to make them pay. When you hold a strong hand, bet on every street where worse hands can call. Size up against players who don't fold. Thin value bets, such as betting top pair with a medium kicker on a safe river, separate good players from great ones.
Continuation betting with a plan
- Bet small and often on boards that favour the preflop raiser: .
- Check more, or bet bigger, on boards that favour the caller: .
- Against two or more opponents, c-bet much less. Someone usually has a piece.
Adjust to the player, not just the cards
| Opponent | Tell-tale sign | Best adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Calling station | Calls everything, rarely raises | Never bluff; value bet thinner and larger |
| Nit | Plays very few hands | Steal their blinds; fold when they show aggression |
| Maniac | Raises constantly | Play tighter, let them bluff into you, call down lighter |
| Solid regular | Balanced and aggressive | Avoid big pots out of position; pick better tables |
Table selection
The single biggest factor in your win rate is who you play against. A good player at a tough table can lose; an average player at a soft one can win steadily. Look for tables with large average pots, many players seeing the flop, and at least one player who is clearly there for fun.
Stack depth
Always buy in for the maximum if your bankroll allows. Deeper stacks let skilled players win more when they are ahead and give them room to outplay opponents on later streets.
Frequently asked questions
What is a TAG player?
Tight-aggressive: a player who plays relatively few hands but plays them with bets and raises rather than calls. It is the most reliable winning style for most players.
How much should I c-bet?
On dry boards that favour you, a small bet of a third of the pot works often. On wet, connected boards, bet larger or check more frequently.
How do I beat low-stakes cash games?
Value bet relentlessly, bluff rarely, and avoid paying off big river bets, which at low stakes are rarely bluffs.